Event

Russian Roots and Branches: Slavyanka Chorus

Slavyanka's new Artistic Director Irina Shachneva has created an exciting program that will feature a wide range of new choral pieces for Slavyanka,-- from ancient chants to modern works by Rachmaninoff and Stravinsky and including the American premier of "Death and Life" by contemporary Moscow composer Valery Kalistratov.

Perfomances will include Slavyanka's traditional men's choir, augmented by Slavyanka alumni and our new Slavyanka women's ensemble, plus the traditional Russian music ensemble "Kostroma," and the augmented version of "Four Peasant Songs" that Stravinsky updated in 1954 to include accompaniment by four French horns.

Celebrating 200 years of Russian presence in California, Slavyanka's program of sacred, composed, and folk music from Russia and Eastern Europe will feature a brand new repertoire, including several pieces that date from the early 1800's, when Fort Ross was built just north of the Russian River a river which early Russian explorers named the "Slavyanka."

Irina Shachneva studied choral directing in Russia and the United States, and lived in Boston from 1996 to 2011. While in Boston, she founded the Boston Russian Chorus and was Artistic Director for the Rachmaninoff International Festival of Russian Music in 2011 and 2012. She became Artistic Director of Slavyanka Chorus in 2012. "I've dreamed of directing a Men's Slavic Chorus for many years," says Ms. Shachneva, "so I'm delighted and excited that Slavyanka has given me the opportunity to fulfill that dream."

Slavyanka's Founding Director Paul Andrews says "Irina is a first rate professional choral conductor, and we are absolutely delighted to welcome her as our new Artistic Director." Slavyanka President Donn Davy says "It's a match made in heaven. Irina is inspiring our singers to new levels of musical and spiritual depth and quality. Her rehearsals are a joyful challenge, and we are excited to display Slavyanka's new sound at these concerts."